Big Fourth of July fireworks show impresses record-breaking crowd after Kalamazoo Growlers game

KALAMAZOO, MI — Fourth of July fireworks coordinated with music lit up the sky following the Kalamazoo Growlers game Friday.

"I've lived in Kalamazoo my whole life. This is the best Fourth of July fireworks show I've seen in town," spectator Douglas Hirleman said.

Sydney Alexander of Kalamazoo described the fireworks show as "amazing." She added that she is very happy to have baseball back to Kalamazoo.

Friday's crowd of 6,064 was the largest this year for the Kalamazoo Growlers, who are in their inaugural season at Homer Stryker Field. Before the fireworks, the Growlers lost, 7-4, to the Lakeshore Chinooks of Mequon, Wis.

The game began with an unusual first pitch.

Ronald L. Centers, a graduate of Western Michigan University, flew an American flag hot air balloon to a height of 250 feet to throw the baseball down.

Brian Colopy, president of the Kalamazoo Growlers, said the record-breaking attendance and nice weather are much better than what he has expected.

David Fening of Kalamazoo came to his first Growlers game with his son Robert.

"I'm very impressed by the number of people here," said Fening, " It's great. I hope this continues in our community."